Shop and Return shops
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They actually are discussed quite frequently, but usually as 'purchase and return' shops.
There are several issues with these. First, in most cases you are doing two rounds of observations for the price of one.
Some of them require driving to the location on different days, while some allow same day. Drive time and gas need to be taken into consideration on the former and on the later, is there something productive you can do in the wait time between the P and the R?
With purchases often in the several hundred dollar range, you need to know your credit card billing cycle because lets say your 'closing date' on your card is the 15th, you make the purchase on the 14th and the return on the 14th but it doesn't get processed until the 17th, the charge without the matching credit will appear on your credit card for payment or interest accumulation.
The sunglasses can work if they are in a mall with either several locations of the client as you do location A, then go down and do location B, then go back to A to make the return, then return to B. But many of the P/R do not work so easily.
Some of the P/R become single report if you decide to keep the item. This works for me because I simply return the item next time I am in the area without the deadline of returning to the area the next day.
For me personally, P/R rarely work because the fee tends to be low, there is no benefit to me for the purchase, any use of my credit card entails some risk and the shops are generally mall based. I tend to avoid the malls because of parking issues and overall low fees for mall shops. Mall parking lots here have more issues in that my vehicle has been 'keyed' in a mall parking lot, someone ran into me while I was parked and left no note, the majority of purse snatchings and vehicle break ins happen in mall parking lots here plus parking is always a pain. To visit a mall to do a $5, $15 and $12 shop on a single visit to me makes very little sense, especially when $100 in damage is done to my vehicle in the parking lot. So I shop shopping centers and strip malls where I have never had an issue in the parking lots.
There are several issues with these. First, in most cases you are doing two rounds of observations for the price of one.
Some of them require driving to the location on different days, while some allow same day. Drive time and gas need to be taken into consideration on the former and on the later, is there something productive you can do in the wait time between the P and the R?
With purchases often in the several hundred dollar range, you need to know your credit card billing cycle because lets say your 'closing date' on your card is the 15th, you make the purchase on the 14th and the return on the 14th but it doesn't get processed until the 17th, the charge without the matching credit will appear on your credit card for payment or interest accumulation.
The sunglasses can work if they are in a mall with either several locations of the client as you do location A, then go down and do location B, then go back to A to make the return, then return to B. But many of the P/R do not work so easily.
Some of the P/R become single report if you decide to keep the item. This works for me because I simply return the item next time I am in the area without the deadline of returning to the area the next day.
For me personally, P/R rarely work because the fee tends to be low, there is no benefit to me for the purchase, any use of my credit card entails some risk and the shops are generally mall based. I tend to avoid the malls because of parking issues and overall low fees for mall shops. Mall parking lots here have more issues in that my vehicle has been 'keyed' in a mall parking lot, someone ran into me while I was parked and left no note, the majority of purse snatchings and vehicle break ins happen in mall parking lots here plus parking is always a pain. To visit a mall to do a $5, $15 and $12 shop on a single visit to me makes very little sense, especially when $100 in damage is done to my vehicle in the parking lot. So I shop shopping centers and strip malls where I have never had an issue in the parking lots.
As a standalone shop, I'll do them if they have a 30-minute or less restriction on the return. Using the credit cards to float the purchase doesn't bother me, as I keep close track of my due dates and usage (like a hawk with an electron microscope).
I've done some that have a 3-4 hour restriction, but only if I have other shops to do in the immediate vicinity.
Required returns more than 24 hours later? Unless I'm getting paid a hefty, hefty amount (more than $75 for me personally), it's highly unlikely I'll do it.
I've done some that have a 3-4 hour restriction, but only if I have other shops to do in the immediate vicinity.
Required returns more than 24 hours later? Unless I'm getting paid a hefty, hefty amount (more than $75 for me personally), it's highly unlikely I'll do it.
zlinedavid Wrote:
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> As a standalone shop, I'll do them if they have a
> 30-minute or less restriction on the return.
> Using the credit cards to float the purchase
> doesn't bother me, as I keep close track of my due
> dates and usage (like a hawk with an electron
> microscope).
>
> I've done some that have a 3-4 hour restriction,
> but only if I have other shops to do in the
> immediate vicinity.
>
> Required returns more than 24 hours later? Unless
> I'm getting paid a hefty, hefty amount (more than
> $75 for me personally), it's highly unlikely I'll
> do it.
OooooOoooooooooooooooooo
I personally do not like high end P/R shops. Often, the sales associate is paid mainly on a commission basis. I feel really bad when I come back a couple of hours later and tell the associate that I changed my mind. (I feel like I wasted his time and cost him money particularly if the associate gave me great service.)
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a standalone shop, I'll do them if they have a
> 30-minute or less restriction on the return.
> Using the credit cards to float the purchase
> doesn't bother me, as I keep close track of my due
> dates and usage (like a hawk with an electron
> microscope).
>
> I've done some that have a 3-4 hour restriction,
> but only if I have other shops to do in the
> immediate vicinity.
>
> Required returns more than 24 hours later? Unless
> I'm getting paid a hefty, hefty amount (more than
> $75 for me personally), it's highly unlikely I'll
> do it.
OooooOoooooooooooooooooo
I personally do not like high end P/R shops. Often, the sales associate is paid mainly on a commission basis. I feel really bad when I come back a couple of hours later and tell the associate that I changed my mind. (I feel like I wasted his time and cost him money particularly if the associate gave me great service.)
When I started I did many of them for various MSC's (especially ICCDS). The last couple of years the 12.00 to 15.00 pay just isn't worth it, returning the same day is o.k., but not making two trips. I have gotten
to the point of not wanting to put this on my credit card, just my preference.
Some are easy shops, do one and judge for yourself, if your working in the same mall, it may be worth your time. I'm just over it....
to the point of not wanting to put this on my credit card, just my preference.
Some are easy shops, do one and judge for yourself, if your working in the same mall, it may be worth your time. I'm just over it....
Live consciously....
Not doing P/R at all since about the first two weeks of my 6+ years of MSing.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
RE: P/R shops...have done a few, but yes I do feel guilty as I do wonder if the associate is on commission. Have about made up my mind to not do them.
Why can't these MS find some other way to check on them and their customer service practices?
I'm sort of new at this and try not to get discouraged. I'll just sign up with a bunch more MS and find those that don't want P/R.
Why can't these MS find some other way to check on them and their customer service practices?
I'm sort of new at this and try not to get discouraged. I'll just sign up with a bunch more MS and find those that don't want P/R.
I was just thinking about doing a $20 sunglasses P/R, now you all have me hinky.
raisitup Wrote:
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> I was just thinking about doing a $20 sunglasses
> P/R, now you all have me hinky.
If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's actually one of the better purchase/returns. There's only a 30 minute wait for the return, and some malls have 2, if not 3, locations. Some are standalone stores, some are kiosks and some are located inside of Macy's/Dillard's.
I've tripled up on one mall before. Purchase for location A, purchase for location b, return location A, purchase for location C, return location B, return location C. No driving between locations and an easy way to kill the 30 minute wait.
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> I was just thinking about doing a $20 sunglasses
> P/R, now you all have me hinky.
If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's actually one of the better purchase/returns. There's only a 30 minute wait for the return, and some malls have 2, if not 3, locations. Some are standalone stores, some are kiosks and some are located inside of Macy's/Dillard's.
I've tripled up on one mall before. Purchase for location A, purchase for location b, return location A, purchase for location C, return location B, return location C. No driving between locations and an easy way to kill the 30 minute wait.
I do the outlet mall ones once in a while, but only if there is a good bonus. Like everyone else has said, you have to treat it like two shops so don't do it until you are paid for two shops. Some allow you to keep some of the purchase, so if you were going to shop anyway it works out well. I will buy two each, say, of pants for my husband in different sizes. Upon return, I indicate which ones were the fit. They offer to exchange to a different size or colour like they are supposed to, and I decline the exchange like I am supposed to, and we all get on with our day.
We cut up our credit cards years ago so use cash when allowed by the shop instructions or else a debit card. With one company's p/r, a cheque is allowed and the location simply tears it up.
We cut up our credit cards years ago so use cash when allowed by the shop instructions or else a debit card. With one company's p/r, a cheque is allowed and the location simply tears it up.
nano7 Wrote:
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> RE: P/R shops...have done a few, but yes I do feel
> guilty as I do wonder if the associate is on
> commission. Have about made up my mind to not do
> them.
> Why can't these MS find some other way to check on
> them and their customer service practices?
>
> I'm sort of new at this and try not to get
> discouraged. I'll just sign up with a bunch more
> MS and find those that don't want P/R.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Nano7: My exact sentiments! I rarely do P/R shops. Sometimes, sales associates who are on commission have sale goals. (I am probably making a big thing out of nothing.) I used to have a goal of just selling two units per day. I was always relieved when I sold my second unit until someone came back at the end of the day to return one. I was in the dog house, but, worse yet, have a customer return an item the next day and then I was really in a hole.)
-------------------------------------------------------
> RE: P/R shops...have done a few, but yes I do feel
> guilty as I do wonder if the associate is on
> commission. Have about made up my mind to not do
> them.
> Why can't these MS find some other way to check on
> them and their customer service practices?
>
> I'm sort of new at this and try not to get
> discouraged. I'll just sign up with a bunch more
> MS and find those that don't want P/R.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Nano7: My exact sentiments! I rarely do P/R shops. Sometimes, sales associates who are on commission have sale goals. (I am probably making a big thing out of nothing.) I used to have a goal of just selling two units per day. I was always relieved when I sold my second unit until someone came back at the end of the day to return one. I was in the dog house, but, worse yet, have a customer return an item the next day and then I was really in a hole.)
i only do one a quarter its for $35 and really easy...30 min return inever hae
nor will take the sunglass shops...
nor will take the sunglass shops...
shopping north west PA and south west ny
I've notice the sunglass shops have started to become a "new kind of shop" where it is only an evaluation. I have started doing those and have done nearly all of them in my area. I always ask about then mention the return policy in my evals.
Maybe not doing the return shops is forcing them to rethink their employee evaluation strategy.
By the way - I realized I started this thread in the wrong forum - Sorry. Newbie mistake.
Maybe not doing the return shops is forcing them to rethink their employee evaluation strategy.
By the way - I realized I started this thread in the wrong forum - Sorry. Newbie mistake.
~~*~~*~~*~~ kal ~~*~~*~~*~~
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.
ZineDavid, here we get assigned only one at a time, so, there is no way of doing multipiles in the same mall. My mall has three of those, we have a rotation and a limit of one at a time. I like the no purchase sunglasses that pay 10.00, easy....
Live consciously....
I did a whole mall's worth of eval only sunglass shops last week, it was super easy other than the MSC not having enough information to differentiate one from the other. I basically had to guess when I submitted the reports.
raisitup Wrote:
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> I did a whole mall's worth of eval only sunglass
> shops last week, it was super easy other than the
> MSC not having enough information to differentiate
> one from the other. I basically had to guess when
> I submitted the reports.
Check the phone numbers. Those should be different.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did a whole mall's worth of eval only sunglass
> shops last week, it was super easy other than the
> MSC not having enough information to differentiate
> one from the other. I basically had to guess when
> I submitted the reports.
Check the phone numbers. Those should be different.
A couple of weeks ago I was able to do all of the non-purchase in one mall. Each one had a ton of information to help me distinguish them. That was not a bad gig either since I had something to exchange at another store and had been putting it off
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I wonder if they alternate the non-purchase and purchase shops in different areas. In my area, they've been back to the purchases for the past few months.
If memory serves they just started the non-purchase last August and by September returned to the P/R. This year they came out late September, so it looks like once a year is it. That's fine with me. A year is about the rotation I would put on myself anyway.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
lisams901 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> raisitup Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I did a whole mall's worth of eval only
> sunglass
> > shops last week, it was super easy other than
> the
> > MSC not having enough information to
> differentiate
> > one from the other. I basically had to guess
> when
> > I submitted the reports.
>
>
> Check the phone numbers. Those should be
> different.
Yeah, tried that. I tried to cross-reference each piece of information between the MSCs system, online resources and what I had. Nothing would match. The scheduler would only give me the info she had from their customer, which happened to be the exact same information, right down to the formatting and font, of what I got from the client website. The scheduler didn't seem to care and I cared for a while until she wore off on me, then just threw darts :-)
-------------------------------------------------------
> raisitup Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I did a whole mall's worth of eval only
> sunglass
> > shops last week, it was super easy other than
> the
> > MSC not having enough information to
> differentiate
> > one from the other. I basically had to guess
> when
> > I submitted the reports.
>
>
> Check the phone numbers. Those should be
> different.
Yeah, tried that. I tried to cross-reference each piece of information between the MSCs system, online resources and what I had. Nothing would match. The scheduler would only give me the info she had from their customer, which happened to be the exact same information, right down to the formatting and font, of what I got from the client website. The scheduler didn't seem to care and I cared for a while until she wore off on me, then just threw darts :-)
A new low has been reached. I just noticed this in an email:
"Purchase any item(s), using **CASH or DEBIT**. After 24 hours, you may take back returnable items for store credit"
So not only do I have to shop them twice, on my nickel, I don't get my cash back? Wow. Just wow.
"Purchase any item(s), using **CASH or DEBIT**. After 24 hours, you may take back returnable items for store credit"
So not only do I have to shop them twice, on my nickel, I don't get my cash back? Wow. Just wow.
Gee, that sure sounds like no bargain!
I've seen similar to that in a few of the mall stores during P/R shops.
At Guess, even if you pay with cash, when you make the return, you have to wait 2-3 weeks to get your refund by check.
At Guess, even if you pay with cash, when you make the return, you have to wait 2-3 weeks to get your refund by check.
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